Port Vale keeper Scott Brown says the Valiants have to put Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Colchester in perspective, but must improve on the performance if they are to make amends at Vale Park this week.

Vale entertain Lincoln in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before returning to league action when Crawley are the visitors to Vale Park on Saturday.

The Valiants kicked off their season with a 3-0 win at home to Cambridge, but were well below that standard on Saturday when they were beaten at a Colchester side who had chances to win far more convincingly.

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The keeper said: "I suppose one of the only positives we would take out of it was that it was only 2-0. At half time, 2-0 down and the chances they had in the second half, it could have been four or five really.

Colchester's players celebrate their opening goal in their 2-0 win at home to Port Vale

"We stuck at it and actually defended okay in the second half because they had a lot of the ball and created a lot of movement. You have to credit them. They have spent a lot of money in the summer and invested really well, and kept hold of Sammy Szmodics who is a massive player for them. They are going to be towards the top end of the league towards the end of the season.

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"We came looking for three points but you can't win every game and we will look to bounce back against Crawley.

"Unless you are Man City, you don't win every game, especially in League Two. We will look at the video on Monday morning, look where we went wrong, and where we can be better, because Crawley will certainly get the ball down and play and have some good movement.

Port Vale were beaten 2-0 at Colchester

"So, we will have to stick with our runners better and keep the ball and create more chances then we did."

Neil Aspin is working on bringing in one, and possibly two, players before the deadline for loan signings on August 31.

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The manager will also monitor the fitness of Tom Pope after he was forced off five minutes before the break on Saturday with a back problem.

Brown added: "We have a good squad and a good team. The manager is working on getting a couple more bodies in. We really missed Popey as well when he went off. You have to have luck with injuries and keep the key players fit, that is going to be massive for us."